What is the NDSC Legacy Society?
The NDSC Legacy Society is comprised of a group of committed supporters who are investing in the future of people with Down syndrome. These individuals and families have informed us of their intention to include the National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) in their estate plans.
Planned giving allows you to express your personal values by integrating your charitable, personal, and family financial goals to enhance your philanthropy and impact a qualified nonprofit organization. By including the NDSC in your gift planning, you can make a lasting investment in the promising future of individuals with Down syndrome. Through your legacy, you are sharing in the mission to serve individuals with Down syndrome and the families of tomorrow.
How Do I Make a Legacy Gift to the NDSC?
Three common planning giving options for leaving a gift to the NDSC include:
- Bequest: The simplest and most frequent planned gift is a transfer of assets (cash, stock, or bonds) to a nonprofit organization. An individual can specify a dollar amount or percentage to donate to the organization.
To make a bequest to the NDSC, here is a sample language you can use:
“I give, devise, and bequeath to the National Down Syndrome Congress the sum of $_________ (or otherwise describe the gift or specify a percentage of the residue of my estate) to be used for its general purposes.”
- Beneficiary Designation of Retirement Fund, IRA, etc.: Another easy way to make a planned gift is to name the NDSC as a beneficiary of certain types of assets, such as a life insurance policy, IRA, 401K, 403B, or another retirement instrument. Leaving retirement assets to a charity as part of an estate plan can result in significant tax advantages while positively impacting your chosen nonprofit. The amount can be a lump sum or a percentage.
- Beneficiary of a “Special Needs Trust”: Many families who have a loved one with Down syndrome establish a “special needs trust” to provide for their future. After their loved one's passing, families may select the NDSC as the beneficiary of any remaining assets. This serves as a way to honor their child’s legacy and give back to future generations of children served by the NDSC.
Regardless of your intentions regarding a planned gift to the NDSC, consulting an estate planning professional, such as a lawyer, tax accountant, or financial planner is essential. This ensures that you can effectively communicate your desires and maximize the tax benefits available to you. They will help you review your unique circumstances and goals.
How Does a Legacy Gift Help the NDSC?
For the NDSC to be a long-lasting organization for decades to come, we must diversify our funding streams. Even though we host multiple events and other fundraising projects throughout the year, it is critically important that we start thinking beyond today’s funding needs.
The NDSC Legacy Society encourages individuals and families to invest in our future. You can designate a gift from your will any way you choose, using one of two basic options:
- NDSC Foundation Gift: The NDSC Foundation was established years ago by visionary supporters who sought to create an endowment as a long-term investment fund to ensure our ongoing financial sustainability.
- Unrestricted Program Support: An unrestricted gift allows the NDSC to utilize the funds for its overall mission and to address the organization’s greatest needs. If all of the organization’s funding requirements are met when an unrestricted program gift is received, it will be placed in the NDSC endowment fund for future needs.
I Want to Give!
When you incorporate the NDSC into your estate plan, you are leaving a legacy of generosity that will endure for generations. You will impact the lives of countless individuals with Down syndrome and their families. We appreciate your consideration.
Your gift, regardless of size, type, or purpose, qualifies you for The NDSC Legacy Society. Membership allows us to acknowledge and express our appreciation for your generosity. Legacy Society members also inspire others who may be considering a bequest or beneficiary designation, which helps us build a long-lasting and stable future for the NDSC.
The best way to inform the NDSC that you have included our organization in your estate plans is to fill out a Letter of Intent Form. This form will allow you to specify how you would like your gift to be used and how you prefer to be recognized.
If you have any questions about the NDSC’s Legacy Society, please contact Jim Hudson, Executive Director of the NDSC, at jim@ndsccenter.org or (513) 400-6563.
